Anyone recognizable belongs to Janet Evanovich

Chapter 10

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. Mark Twain

I thought Ranger moved a little slower than usual as he got out of bed. We were newlywed with a strong sexual attraction for each other. For us to make love twice in a night was not unusual. Last night our lovemaking went seven rounds. Every time we finished and laid in each other's arms the image of Grandma and Mr. Wolesky crept back in. To be honest I couldn't see what was going on between the two of them in great detail. It was dark and I was looking through the window after all, but I had a good imagination and my mind kept seeing things in detail that my eyes saw a little less clearly. To make matters worse if I did have a second when Grandma's big adventure left my mind I began to wonder where Jack and my mother had gone after they left the restaurant. And what were they doing?

The only time my mind was unoccupied by my family was when I was in Ranger's arms. During the night Ranger woke at least twice from a deep sleep to find me doing things he could not ignore. He was patient and passionate and kept my mind off my family and my recent visual trauma in his own unique and excellent way. As I watched him walk from the bed into the bathroom I knew two things. I had to a grip regarding my family and I could not imagine my life without Ricardo Carlos Manoso in it.

I rolled out of bed feeling the ache of overused muscles but choosing to ignore the twinges. I followed Ranger into the bathroom. I backed him against the wall and leaned into him.

"Babe, I don't want to say no but you're due downstairs with Tank in a few minutes and I need to have a little energy left to face the day." Ranger held me away from him and asked, "Are you going to be okay today?"

I sighed, "Yeah. I need to be mature about this. My Grandma is capable of making her own decisions, but I don't see her with Mr. Wolesky."

"You did last night, Babe. That's your problem." Ranger grinned at me. I pushed him into the shower and hurried to get ready to face Tank for my morning workout.

Ten minutes later I walked into the gym wearing stretchy black yoga pants and a rangeman t-shirt. Tank stood with his back to me apparently relaxed and deep in thought. Something about his stance, his black clothes, made me think of Jack and the easy grace with which he moved. All of the merry men had extensive training in martial arts. I was mostly untrained but Tank had been teaching me a few kicks. As I thought of Jack I felt my temper rise. Tank turned toward me and I saw Jack's hand at the small of my mother's back. I twisted sideways, somewhat off balance and struck out with a roundhouse kick to Tank's midsection.

It was unexpected and I heard the whoosh of expelled breath as my foot connected to his gut. His surprise didn't last long. He lunged for me but I sidestepped. He caught my foot at my next kick attempt and I felt myself flying backwards landing with a thunk on the mat. I rolled quickly avoiding being pinned by him. I jumped to my feet and advanced toward him. He was expecting another kick attempt. The heel of my hand caught him unaware and his head jerked back as I slammed my hand into his jaw. Clearly startled he reached for me but I turned trying to plant another roundhouse kick to his gut. I lost my balance fell forward and felt my heel wedge at the juncture of his thighs. He curled forward falling to his knees and moaning. I ran to his side.

"Ohmygosh," I gasped. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to, I mean I was aiming higher, I mean…Tank are you okay?"

"Yeah," he moaned. "My fault, I should've worn a cup. Lula's gonna be pissed though."

"I'm so sorry" I said.

"Why should you be sorry?" Ranger asked from the doorway. Tank and I looked up to see an amused Ranger. He walked over and gave Tank a hand up. He looked at Tank and said, "I'm sure your teacher is very pleased with your progress, Steph. Right Tank?"

"I guess," Tank said. "What the hell happened here Stephanie? Where did all that pent up energy come from?"

"Yeah," Ranger said. "Where did it come from? I'd like to see what you could do with a full night's sleep, Babe." He ruffled my hair and walked out the door. I turned to Tank.

"I'm not coming into the office today, Tank," I said. "I can't face my mother. Ranger says that I am misunderstanding what we saw at the restaurant last night and I hope he's right. But in case he's not, I'm giving myself a little time to get used to the idea of Jack and my mom. Vinnie has a couple of low bond FTA's and I'm going after them this morning."

"I can't go with you this morning, Steph. If you promise to call at the first sign of trouble I'll let you out of your promise to always have Rangeman backup. You've got me convinced you can take care of yourself."

"Thanks Tank," I smiled at him. "I'll call if I need help. I promise."

"I can send Vince or Cal this morning if you run into trouble." Tank was standing with shoulders hunched forward. He moaned as he straightened and limped out of the room.

I went back to seven to get ready to face the day. I showered and pulled my hair up into a pony tail. It was going to be another hot and humid day in Trenton. I dressed in black cargo pants and a stretchy black t-shirt and I dug through my closet and found black cat boots. I loaded my utility belt with pepper spray, my stun gun and my loaded gun. A long handled mag lite and handcuffs completed my ensemble. I wrapped the utility belt around my hips. The hem of my t-shirt didn't quite reach the top of my cargos but I thought it just added to the image of bad ass bounty hunter. I looked in the mirror and thought I looked like mini Ranger.

I stood next to my Porsche trying to figure out to fit into the contoured bucket seat with my utility belt on. I gave up and tossed it onto the passenger seat, hopped in and took off. I knew my first stop was going to be the Tasty Pastry and I thought the utility belt might be a little over the top for the bakery. I was fully aware that a visit to the tasty Pasty might be breaking my training regime, but a girl has to do what a girl has to do.

Twenty minutes later I entered the bonds office carrying a large white box. I sat it on Connie's desk and lifted the lid. Connie looked up from her current occupation of touching up her manicure. Lula came over from the files where she had actually been working.

"Two dozen," Connie said. "You must be having a rough morning."

I picked up a jelly filled powdered sugar donut and bit into it catching an escaping blob of jelly with my finger. "Not anymore," I answered.

"What's going on with you, Stephanie?" Connie asked. "Since you married the man of mystery you've become the woman of mystery. Lula and I never know what you are up to anymore." I shot a glance at Lula. She obviously had kept quiet about seeing my mom with Jack.

I sat down on the fake leather sofa and decided that this was the perfect time for a chat with the girls. "Where's Vinnie?" I asked.

"He's at the courthouse bonding Marco Hernandez out. He won't be back in until this afternoon." That was good. I would share things with Lula and Connie that I'd never say in front of Vinnie. He was family even if he was from the dark side. My father and mother were taking up a lot of my thinking time. I needed to figure out how to get them back together. I told Lula and Connie the whole story as I knew it, including my episode of window peeping at my old apartment.

"I don't know what you're so freaked out about," Lula said. "What your granny was doing is a natural act. Women are superior. I learned that in my class. They can do the nasty right up to when they die. Men gotta get something to prop themselves up. I'm pretty impressed that Mr. Wolesky could hang in there with your grandma."

"You're right Lula," Connie said. "I've met Mr. Wolesky. He seems like a nice enough guy, and I'm impressed too. I'm kind of surprised he could keep 'up', so to speak, with Edna."

"Yeah," Lula said. "That's why it's a good think your momma is dating Jack, Stephanie. He's so much younger than her they are probably a perfect match."

"What?" Connie said. "Your mom and Jack? Did you set them up Steph?"

I turned to Lula. "Way to go Tallulah! Connie, you are sworn to secrecy. Of course I didn't set my mother up with Jack. He's younger than I am. My father can't find out about this. It'll kill him." I was done with girl talk. I was pissed off at Lula. I went and picked up two file folders off Connie's desk. I shoved them in my bag and headed for the door. I turned and looked at Lula's stricken face and felt remorseful.

"I'm sorry I lost my temper Lula. I'll give you a chance to return the favor. You can lose your temper with me. I was training this morning with Tank and I put my foot right in his business. His boys are going be out of action for awhile I'm afraid. I'm sorry about that too."

"Oh that doesn't worry me," Lula said. "Tank's pretty inventive when it comes to making me happy, but I won't be seeing Tankie for awhile because I have to study. I'm taking my final tomorrow and if I pass I'll get my associate degree."

"That's great Lula." I walked back and gave her a hug before I went to earn a living. I had two skips to bring in today and I was pretty sure that I wasn't going to need back up. I decided to go after Tom Gates first. This wouldn't be the first time I'd brought Tom in.

A couple of years ago Tom was arrested for spitting in the social security office. He was making a political statement. This time he mooned the social security case worker. He'd missed his court date and I knew from last time he was at home waiting to be brought in. He would come peacefully but he never did anything of his own accord. It was his way of protesting 'too much government.' Tom lived a couple of blocks from my parents' house in the Burg.

I got out of my Porsche and hooked my security belt around my hips. I rang Tom's doorbell and waited. The door was opened by Tom's wife, Wanda. I started my spiel. "Hi, I'm Stephanie Manoso and…"

"I know who you are," she interrupted. She turned and yelled into the house. "Tom, Frank Plum's daughter is here. She's come to take you back to jail. Get your butt out here!" She turned back to me and said, "Stephanie, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother and your dad. It's such a shame. That Marjorie Witazak should be shot. Hey, you've got a gun. You could do that."

I rolled my eyes. The Burg gossip mill was obviously still working well. "I can't shoot anyone who isn't FTA I said. Is your husband coming peacefully today?"

Her eyes widened at the implication that I might shoot her husband. "Tom," she yelled, "hurry it up!"

An hour later I was standing in the parking lot across from The Trenton Police Department. I was reading the file on my next skip. I felt a finger trail along the exposed skin of my back above my cargos.

"You're looking good cupcake." I turned around and scowled at Joe Morelli.

"You're poaching," I said.

"Like Ranger never poached," he replied. I gave him my dirtiest look. He held up his hands in mock surrender. "All right. I'll behave. But you are looking good. You were pretty bruised up the last time I saw you."

"Yeah," I acknowledged, "I was, and Hal wasn't looking too good either. We're both doing better."

Morelli looked at my utility belt, "Looks like you are well prepared today. You must be taking your job pretty seriously. That's good to see." I smiled at him. We had a long history and I valued his friendship. I thought it was good that he could see I was trying to improve my job performance. It had always been an area of contention between us.

"Will your husband let you have lunch with an old boyfriend?" Morelli asked.

"I don't have to ask Ranger's permission to eat lunch with you."

"Well," Morelli said, "if the situation was reversed, you'd have to ask my permission."

"Morelli," I said laughing, "that's exactly why the situation isn't reversed. If you are asking me to lunch the answer is yes as long as you're buying. Get in and I'll give you a ride in my new car."

We ate at Pino's. Today was obviously going to be a day off as far as my nutritious eating plan went. I asked Morelli if he was seeing anyone and he said that he was seeing a couple of someones, but no one seriously. He said Bob the dog missed me and I should come for a visit.

"You can even bring your husband if it makes him feel better," Morelli said. I didn't know if Ranger would want to visit Bob at Morelli's house, and while he wouldn't mind that Joe and I had lunch together, I didn't think he'd be too happy if I went to Morelli's house.

"Maybe we will sometime," I said noncommittally.

"Steph," Joe said looking concerned. "If it's none of my business you can say so, but your parents are the talk of the Burg. Your dad is the last person I thought would cheat on his wife."

"He's not!" I exclaimed. "They are having problems with another woman, but the other woman involved is my grandma. My dad wants her out of the house and told my mom she had to make a choice. Mom chose Grandma." I told him about Mom and Grandma Mazur showing up at Rangeman with their suitcases. I explained that they were living in my old apartment but I didn't talk about Grandma's extracurricular activities. Joe said he would stop by and see how they were doing and I thought that was nice. Ranger had recently won my mother's heart as the perfect son-in-law but I knew she still had a soft spot for Joe.

I dropped Joe off at the police station and drove back to the bonds office. I turned in my body receipt for Tom Gates. Lula looked up as I came in the door.

"Hey, I'm glad you're back," she said. "Connie and I decided that we're going to have a girl's night out. We're gonna celebrate my class being finished tomorrow night. Do you want to go?"

I thought about it for a moment. I hadn't had a girl's night out since I'd been married.

"Maybe," I said. "What do you have planned?"

Morty's Tavern has karaoke tomorrow," she said, "and first prize is five hundred dollars."

"Okay, count me in. I won't sing but I'll cheer for you." We agreed to decide on the details later and I left the bonds office and headed for Haywood. No more putting it off. I was going to face my mother.

The elevator door opened and I stepped out on to the control room floor. Ranger was standing behind Vince who was seated at a bank of monitors. Ranger looked up and took in my appearance with a slow head to toe inspection. He walked over to me. He tugged at my utility belt and said, "You look hot, Babe. Very much a woman to be reckoned with."

"Thanks." I smiled up at him. "I need to look like I'm in control. I'm going to go talk to my mother."

"Babe, uh" Ranger looked uncomfortable. "You're mother didn't come into work today. Jack volunteered to go check on her, and he hasn't reported back yet." I began to hyperventilate.

"You sent Jack! Jack is with my mother? He hasn't reported back?" I turned and hit the stairwell door running.